Submarine mine



Apr. w, H923. ASLW? W. F, PALMER SUBMARINE MINE Filed May l5, 1920 5 sheets-sheet l l r i Apr. E0, E923. EASLM'? w. F. PALMER SUBMARI NE MINE Filed May l5, 1920 5 sheets-sheet 2 'V m um; ilmi Apr. 110, i923. EASLW? W. F. PALMER SUBMARINE MINE Filed May 13, 1920 5 sheets-shee'n- 5 ima-tea Apr., 1o, 1923;

vUNITED vSTATESy i V1,415'1,10'1A PATENT OFFICE.

WAYNE F. PALMER, WASHINGTON, DISTRICT COLUMBIA.

SUBMARINE MINE.

4Application med may 13,

l'vented new and useful Improvements in Submarine Mines, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to submarine mines,v and more particularly to submarlne mlnes of the sin le needle magnetic ground type.

One of t e objects of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic influence mine firing device of ,simple and practical construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a submarine mine firing device which will be reliable and eflicient in use and operation.

A further object is to provide a mine lirin'g device ofthe above eneral character, which will be'safe to han'd e, and which will not assume an armed condition until a predetermined time after the same is launched.

A further object is to provide a mine firing device of the above general character, or i. e., one haying an increased radius of action, which may be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

A further object is to provide a mine firing device of the above general character which is, in itself, proof against countermining or other external disturbances.

A further object is to provide a mine firing device of the above general character, into which has been incorporated a safety switch, which necessary adjunct has previvously formed a separate device.

A' further object is to provide a mine firing device of the above general character which is not detrimentally affected by the presence of iron junk in the vicinity of the mine, or iron impurities in the working parts .of the mechanism itself.

lOther 'objects will in part be obvious, and in part hereinafter pointed out.

In orden that a clearer conception of the present invention may be had, several sheets of drawings are annexed, forming part of this application, and in which corresponding parts are indicated by similar reference characters.

In these drawings, Figure 1 isa sectional elevational view of such parts of a submarine mine as are necessary to understand the invention.

1920. Serial JN0.- 381,286.

Figure 2 is a vertica1- sectionalelevat'ional v1ew ofa portion of the firing mechanism f before it assumes an armed condition.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional elevational View of a portion ofthe firing mechanism after it has assumed an armed condition.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a locking-device, to more fully understand the invention.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the contacts, 1n order to more fully understand the inventlon.

Submarine mines now in general use comprise a casing adapted to contain a relatively large amount of explosive, which exlplosivel is fired by means of a detonator actuated in any one of several well-known manners.- The present type of mine which is more specifically known as a single-magnetic needle type is adapted to fire the `detonator by means of an electric battery when, on the approach of a metal ship, the

magnetic needle has swung through a predetermined arc to enga-ge a fixed contact point.

As the general arrangement and operation of mines of this character are now becoming more or less well-known, it is believed to be unnecessary to go into a detailed statement thereof.' It is suicient to state that a magnetic needle, including one contact will turn about its pivot point on the approach of an iron or steel ship tobring one of its ends into engagement with a second contact point thereby establishing 'a circuit through the two contacts -and a battery to fire a detonator. l

In this mannerv the mine is given a relatively large radius of action.

Referring now to the; accompanying drawings, and more particularly to Figure l, 10 denotes a portion of the mine casing provided with an opening inwhich is seated a firing mechanism, the more 'active part of which is contained within a pot or chamber 11 mounted within the mine casing. The opening in which this casing is set is provided with a. ange 12 and gasket 13 supporting the casing while it is held tight thereagainst by means of a ring 14 of bayonet joint construction provided with set screws 15, whereby when the parts are assembled, as shown in Figure 1, the casing l1 is urged downward into water-tight position. The upper part of the casing 11 is provided with a cover 16 perforated at 17 and threadedly secured at 18 to the casing 11. Between the casing and, cover is a flexible diaphragm 20 which may be subjected to hydrostatic pressure as indicated by the arrows when the mine is launched. Centrally secured to the plate or cover 16, is a pin 21. provided with a shoulder 2l having mounted thereon a cup-shaped member 27, rigidly secured to the shoulder 2l by ay wing-nut 27. The-pin 2l carries a member 25 provided with a stem 26', having screw threaded engagement at-28. with an annular disc-like member 22. 'The member 22 is provided with a cup shaped portion 22 which fits over the cup shaped member 27. rlhe cup shaped member 27, andthe cup shaped portion 22 are provided with openings 28 which in the posltion shown are adapted to register. The

lmember 22 is normally held in the position shown Jagainst the action of an expansion spring 23, by means of a transverse pin 24 carried by the stem 2l extending through a slotted portion 29 in the stem 26. The pin 24 co-acts with the underside of a washer 25 and al soluble washer 26, the member 25 and the cup shaped member 27. On launching the mine. water passes inward through openings 28 and dissolves the soluble washer 26. thus permitting the member 25 and plate 22 to move bodily downward to bring a rubber gasket 30 into engagement with the cover 16. Thus is prevented consequent variation of the hydrostatic pressure on the diaphragm 20 which might be caused by either natural conditions due to the rise or fall of tide or countermining operations.

It is to be understood that the interior of the casing l1 is filled with any suitable non-corrosive` non-freezing insulating fluid, for example, kerosene, adapted to cushion the movement of the pot which contains the'contact mechanism, and which is hereinafter described. After the mine has been launched the diaphragm 20 is depressed by the hydrostatic pressure. This pressure is transmitted to the contact mechanism for a sufficient length of time to accomplish t-he desired result, after which theV diaphragm is sealed against further hydrostatic and countermining action.

Mounted in suitable trunnions 31 and 32, one of which is insulated asipshown at the right of Figure 1, is a gimbal ring 33, adapted to support in trunnion 34 a second casing 35, shown in detail in Figure 2. which carries the contact mechanism. This casing 35 is cylindrical in shape for ease in construction and assembly. It is provided With extending arms 36 and 37 which are diametrically opposite, and one of which is engaged by a trunnion 38, electrically connected at 40 with one terminal of the battery, as will hereinafter be explained, and has its opposite end seated in insulating bearing 41. The other trunnion 42 is not insulated from the arm 37 which forms an integral part of the casing. It will likewise be seen that the trunnion 38 is insulated from the gimbal ring 33 by means of bearing 43.

1Within the casing 35 there is pivotally supported a magnetic needle 44 which is adapted to co-act with bifurcated fixed contact 45. Tt will thus be seen that when the mine is in armed condition current willpass from a battery 46 through wire 47 and trunnion 32vto gimbal ring 33, thence in through trunnion 42, Figure 2. to the casing 35 through contacts 45. through the contactv piece 48 of the needle 44 (when the mine is in firing condition), thence out through the pivot point 50 and wire 5l to rotatable contact 52 on trunnion 38, and out through the wire 40 to insulated trunnions 3l and wire 53 to detonator 54, thus completing acircuit.

Taking up the construction of the firing mechanism within casing 35 it will be seen that the lower end is open and provided with al close-fitting member of piston-like construction. Just above this member is a perforated insulating disc 62 through which rods 63 pass freely as shown. The upper ends of these rods 63 support a second insulating annular member 64, the center of which is the pivot point of pivot 50, which is also the center of spherical member which carries the bifurcated contact members 45. Before arming, member 65 can revolve in any plane around the pivot point without coming into contact with member 64. In the process of arming member 64 will lift piece 65 from its support by gripping it along some circumference regardless of its tilt. This permits of the least possible disturbance to piece 65 and thereby makes improbable premature firing, due to the contact of members 45 and 48. `This member 65 is buoyed by cork port-ion 66 which is so chosen as to give member 65 just enough negative buoyancy to guarantee its h'ollow squared center resting on the squared top of insulating member 70. Secured to the top of piece 65 is a light, metallic shell 77. so constructed as `to make electrical contact with the face 72 of member 73 when the mine has assumed an armed condition. Insulating member 7() is threadedly secured to the magnet carrying member 74 on which rests magnet 44 and contact48. This conical member 74 rests on jeweled pivot bearing 7 5 which in turn rests on pivot 50.

Previous to the arming of the mine the casing 35 is com letely filled with oil. while expansion cham er 67 contains only approximately of oil, which amount is considered sucient to keep casing 35 completely filled, even during extreme cold. The

hole 71 in member 73 is the communidating Y. passage between casi-ng 3 5 and expansion rchamber 67. It is of very small diameter,

approximately 31g.

The purpose of the fluid throughout the mechanlsnr is to dampen out all sudden orv floats 66, 67 and 76, thereby to reduce to a minimum the pressure and friction due to the pressure of the cone and parts carried thereby upon the pivot point 50. The floats have large surfaces, and the friction between .the surfaces and the fluid aids in dampeni'ng the movement of the magnet.

In accordance with the present invention,

the buoyance provided by the float members is increased until each unit of the magnetic system is as near the specific gravity of the immersion fluid as restricting conditions permit, that is to say, the' specific gravity of each of these units isbut slightly greater than the specific gravity of the immersion fiuid. The center of buoyance of each of the units of the system is near the center of gravity of the respective units, and the center of buoyance of the magnetic system taken as a whole, is as near the-center of gravity of the entire system as will insure the system remaining in an u right position. The center of buoyance of) the system is preferably immediately above the center of gravity of the system. Since enough flotation is added tothe buoyancy of each unit of the system to` render its specific gravity only slightly greater than the specific gravity of the immersion fiuid, the fluid and the magnetic system will move substantially in unison; that is to say, vif the casing ll together with the immersion fluid therein, is subjected to any rectilinear accelerated movement, the system of magnets will not tend to lag behind nor move forward more rapidly than the immersion fluid itself. This provision is especially effective in protecting. the Amagnet system in whole and inpart fromv being disturbed by sudden shocks or impulsive accelerations imposed uponthe shell 1l and casing 35 from without. By constructing the system so that the center of buoyance is slightly above, but as near to the center of gravity as will insure the members remaining in an upright position, the position of the meta-centers is such that the system is always stable.

A further method of eliminating the possibility lof shocks being translated to the magnet 44 is found in the arrangement of the 'mbal rings, trunnions and pivot point. It wlll be noted that the pivot point 5() is the center of the entire mechanism. Inimotions i of the mine, other than the translation of the mine as a whole, theonly possible movement of the magnet 44'isl about the pivot point 50, which point is located at'the point of z'ero motion. L

- When the mine is. submerged, hydrostaticr pressure will immediately act on diaphragm 20. This pressure will be communicated by the dampening fluid in casing 11 to piston 60, which will be forced upward. Its motion will be retarded by 'the liquid contained in casing 35, whichfmust make its way through communicatin hole 71 into the expansion chamber 67 pproximately thirty minutes will be required for piston to complete its travel. Durin member is lifted from msulating member and is carried upward by insulating ring 64. The spherical cork 66 and cap 77 are` forced into the receiving surface 72 of plate 73, which .concave surface is of the same radius as members 65, 66, and 77.

Locks 78 (detailed in Figure 4), 79 of rods 63 hold the elevated treme elevated position. l

During the operation of arming, previous to the, engagement of the insulating ring 64 andmember 65, the following arts had been free to gyrate as one mem er vabout pivot 50: cone 80, which normally carries magnet 44, buoyant members 7 6y and 67, contact 48 and insulating member 70, superimposedjon which temporarily is member 65 with its cork 66, cap 77, and bifurcated contact 45, so placed as to straddle evenly contact 48. Soon after the mine settles down on the sea bottom, magnet 44 will, with the above listed parts, revolve on pivot 50 until it places its magnetic axis along the magnetic meridian. When member 65 is lifted free from its insulated supporty 70, and is jammed into its receiving cup 72, contact 45 will still straddle contacts 48 evenly, and remain in thatposition until the axis of magnet 44 is rotated from its position along the magnetic meridian by the approach of any relatively large mass of iron.

and groove parts 1n ex- Returning now to the larger casing 11, it`

is noted that thevfluid therein is still subjected to the external hydrostatic pressure, which, over a long period, is undesirable. After a predetermined time, soluble washer 26 gives way, and spring 23 forces member 22 andits gasket 30 down on plate 16, and the contents of pot 11 are now protected against all disturbing forces excepting magnetic influences which are used in closing the firing-circuit.` j v It is believed from the'above that the construction, the method of use, and the operation will be clear to those skilled in the art and a further statement thereof is doubtless unnecessary. i

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthis inventhis operation y tion that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that. from the standpoint of the prior art, fairiy constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inven' tion, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

TWhat I claim is:-

1. VIn a submarine mine, in combination, a main casing having a diaphragm subjected to hydraulic pressure on launching 'and means for cutting out the action of hydraulic pressure on said diaphragm after the mine has been submerged a predetermined time.

2. In a submarine mine, in combination. a main casing having a diaphragm subjected to hydraulic pressure on launching and means for cutting out the action of h vdraulic pressure on said diaphragm after the mine has been submerged a predetermined time, said means including a closing member, means for moving said closing member and soluble means to permit movement of said closing member.

3. In a submarine mine, in combination. a casing adapted to contain fire n contrpl means, a diaphragm closing said casing. said casing being filled with a fluid adapted to transmit hydrostatic pressure to the fire control means when the mine is launched and means for preventing hydrostatic action on said diaphragm after the mine has been submerged a predetermined time.

4. In a submarine mine, in combinatlon, re control means therefor comprising a main casing and a secondary casing mounted in gimbal rings therein, said casing being filled with a fluid, a diaphragm exposed to hydrostatic pressure on launching the mine for transmitting pressure through said fluid to arm the fire control mechanism after a predetermined time.

5. In a submarine mine. in combination, fire control means therefor comprising a main casing and a secondary casing'mounted in gimbal rings therein, said casing being filled with a fluid, a diaphragm exposed to hydrostatic pressure on launching the mine for transmitting pressure through said Huid to arm the fire control mechanism after a predetermined time. and means for locking said mine in armed position.

6. In a submarine mine, in combination, tire control means therefor comprising a main casing and a secondary casing mounted in gimbal rings therein, said casing being filled with a fluid, a diaphragm exposed to hydrostatic pressure on launching the mine for transmitting pressure through said fiuid to arm the fire control mechanism after a predetermined time, and means for cutting ofi` the variations in hydrostatic pressure after a predetermined time.

7. In a submarine mine, in combination, an auxiliary casing, fire control mechanism therein comprising a pair of contacts one of which is mounted on a magnetic needle and means Jfor keeping said contacts in relatively locked position for apredetermined time after the mine is launched and means for thereafter unlocking said contacts to permit relative movementthereof.

8. In a submarine mine, in combination, an auxiliary casing, fire control mechanism therein comprising a pair of contacts one of which is mounted on a magnetic needle and means for keeping said contacts in relativelylocked position for a predetermined time after the mine is launched, means for there-l after unlocking said contacts to permit relative movement thereof, said second means including a piston-like member adapted to Separate said contacts in the direction of the axis of the magnetic needle.

9. In a. submarine mine, in combination, a secondary casing adapted to contain fire control mechanism including a pair of con tacts adapted to be electrically connected with the detonator. said contacts being normally locked against relative movement until after the mine has been launched a predetermined time and means for conveying hydrostatic pressure to said secondary casing to cause a relative separation of said contacts in the direction of the axis of one of them and means for cutting off the effect of hydrostatic pressure upon said contacts after the mine has been launched a predetermined time.

l0. In a submarine mine, in combination, a secondary casing adapted to contain lire control mechanism including a pair of contacts adapted to be electrically connected with the detonator, said contacts being normally locked against relative movement until after the mine has been launched a predetermined time, means for conveying hydrostatic pressure to said secondary casing to cause a. relative movement of said contacts in the direction of the axis of one of them and means for locking said contacts in their moved position.

11. In a submarine mine, in combination, an auxiliary casing having a movable bottom adapted to be actuated by hydrostatic pressure, a magnetic needle pivotallyv mounted in said casing and provided with contacts, a second contact member normally resting on said first mentioned contact and held in fixed relative position thereto until after the mine has been launched a predetermined time, said contacts being normally electrically separated and forming part of an electric circuit and means connected with said movable bottom of the auxiliary casing whereby said second mentioned contact is memo@ moved axially with respect to the pivot point or' the magnetic needle whereby-consequent material movements of the magnetic needle will cause a closing of the circuit.

12. In a submarine mine, .in combination, an'auxiliary casing having a movable bottom adapted to be actuated by hydrostatic pressure, a magnetic needle pivotally mounted in said casing and provided with contacts, a second contact member normally resting on said first mentioned contact and held in ixed relative position thereto until after the mine has been launched a predetermined time, said contact being normally electrically separated and forming part of an electric circuit, means connected with said movable bottom of the auxiliary casing whereby said second mentioned contact is moved axially with respect to the pivot point of the magnetic needle whereby consequent material movements of the magnetic needle will cause a closing of the circuit and means preventing a return of said contacts to unarmed position.

13. In a submarine mine, in combination, an auxiliary casing having a movable bottom adapted to be actuated by hydrostatic pressure, a magnetic needle pivotally mounted in said casing and provided with contacts, a second contact member normally resting on said irst-mentioned contact and held in xed relative position thereto until after the mine has been launched a predetermined time, said contact being normally electrically separated and forming part of an electric circuit, means connected with said movable bottom of the auxiliary casing whereby said second mentioned contact is moved axially Awith respect to the pivot point of the magnetic needle whereby consequent material movements of the magnetic needle will cause a closing of the circuit and: means for cutting out the action of variations in hydrostatic pressure upon the movable bottom of said auxiliary casing.

Signed at Washington, District of Columbia, this 9th day of December, 1919.

, W. F. PALMER. 

